Dictionary of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, According to the Latest Improvements and Discoveries (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ...are otherwise divided into practical and specula. tive. Practical Mathematics, is the application of these principles to the various uses of society. Speculative Mathematics, is that by which we merely contemplate the properties of things, without at all considering their practical application. It is indeed impossible to fix the origin of mathematics with any thing like chronological precision, as there is every reason to (suppose that it must be dated back to the remotest ages. When mankind began to relinquish their wanderjng and savage life, and general laws, or conventions, were established for its maintenance; when by common consent it was agreed.that every individual should provide for his own subsistence, without seizing what was in the possession of another; necessity and self-preservation, the two great springs to physical exertion, first save rise to the most useful arts. Huts were built; iron was forged; the lands were divided; and the.courses of the stars were observed. With regard to the last, it would seem at first sight to have been a sort of amusement, and not in any degree connected with the.economy of society; but upon a nearer and more accurate view it will appear no less useful than either of tbe former. It was seen ithat the earth yielded spontaneously many of the most common of its productions, and with which man in his savage state was enabled, or rather under the necessity, of subsisting; but it was soon discovered that there were others of far greater utility, which required labour and cultivation to bring to perfection, and that it was necessary to regulate this by the proper seasons of the year; thus the ground was sown, the harvest was reaped, and the fruits of the year Were preserved, till the bounty of.nature.